BOOKS BY ANTONIO LAROSA
Cari amici,
Although I’ve always considered myself primarily an architect and designer, a passion I've had since I was a little boy, another love has always been writing stories. I suppose creativity knows no boundaries, and for me, it’s always found its way into both design and storytelling.
I was just 8 years old when I wrote and illustrated my first story. It was about a character who was half human, half magnet-machine.
As I got a little older, I joined the editorial team for our local Boy Scout journal, 'Il Bivacco'. I wrote about our camping adventures, always adding a dose of humor to keep things entertaining for our readers. I also got to help crank the old printing machine, a task that made the whole experience even more memorable!
After finishing my university studies (M.Arch. and a full year of archaeology), I stopped writing for a while, I suppose I was burnt out from all the academic writing I had to do during those years. However, in the mid '90s, my passion for writing was reignited when I started contributing as a guest writer for both American and Italian architectural magazines. During my tenure as a department chair and professor at the largest art and design university in the U.S., I dedicated a significant amount of time to writing and conducting research on design, and it was then that I began incorporating more writing into my work.
It wasn't until a few years ago that I decided, inspired by a suggestion from my family—primarily my daughter, who had always enjoyed my stories while growing up—to revisit some old tales, dust them off, and bring them to life in the form of a book.
Below is a selection of books currently available for purchase on Amazon worldwide. While they are primarily written for children and teens, adults will enjoy them too! Each book includes a link to its Amazon page, in case you'd like to explore or buy some of the books.
Written to bring joy and serenity to readers of all ages. Buy them, read them, gift them, recommend them! Love them, because every page is a hug for the heart.
Buona lettura!
In the heart of the Renaissance city of Vicenza, there lived a humble wooden chair named Paesana. She was simple yet elegant, crafted by the hands of a forgotten artisan, and beloved by all who sat in her. From bustling cafés to quiet churches, Paesana was a symbol of tradition, resilience, and warmth.
But one dark day, the evil king Karck, ruler of the underworld of Plastikos, rose from the depths with a twisted desire. He sought to claim Paesana as his queen, to drag her down into his cold, slimy realm. When she refused, Karck’s rage knew no bounds. He sent an army of sleek black plastic chairs to invade Vicenza, slowly pushing Paesana and her kind into the shadows.
Years passed, and Paesana, broken and forgotten, escaped from Karck’s dungeon and found herself lying abandoned in a small cobblestone street. Her once beautiful wooden frame was cracked and weak, a shadow of the chair she once was.
But hope arrived in the form of Vittorio, a young craftsman with a heart full of kindness. He found her, recognized her beauty despite her brokenness, and took her back to his workshop. There, with careful hands and a heart full of love, he restored her strength, fitting her with gleaming armor forged from scraps of metal.
When Paesana emerged once more, she was no longer just a wooden chair—she had transformed into Princess Kore, a warrior of gleaming silver. Strong and fearless, she was ready to defend her beloved city. And when the battle came, she sent Karck and his army back to Plastikos, restoring light and warmth to Vicenza.
Though her armor was shed after the battle, Paesana remained a symbol of resilience, forever ready to become Princess Kore whenever the shadows of Plastikos threatened her world again.
And so, the city of Vicenza thrived, its heart filled with warmth and tradition, forever protected by its most cherished chair. Buy Here from Amazon.
A delightful book designed to teach children of all ages the alphabet and numbers while sparking their imagination and creativity. This book goes beyond being a simple learning tool, offering beautifully crafted designs of letters and numbers that are sure to inspire and engage young minds.
The alphabet is something so embedded in our lives that we often take it for granted. We use it to read, write, and communicate, yet its journey to becoming the 26-letter system we know today is nothing short of an epic historical adventure. Let’s dive into the story of how the alphabet evolved, from ancient times to the present day, in a way that’s fun and easy to understand!
We use numbers every day, often without giving them a second thought. However, the numbers we count with—0 to 10—have an incredible and fascinating history. These digits traveled across centuries and civilizations, shaping human knowledge and society along the way. Let’s take a fun and informative journey through the origins, mysteries, and quirks of numbers 0 to 10!
A proverb is a short, memorable saying that offers wisdom or reflects a universal truth about life. The stories in this book are inspired by renowned Italian proverbs that have stayed with me since childhood. Much like the proverbs themselves, which convey moral lessons, these modern fables are crafted with their own morals. Simple yet profound, these stories are perfect for teaching children essential life values, leaving lessons that will resonate with them just as the timeless fables of the past have done.
Buy here: Amazon - Modern Fables for Children
Antonio is his given name, a classic Italian name, but from a young age, everyone in his village started calling him Totino. The nickname, a diminutive form of Antonio, suits him perfectly, reflecting his small, slender frame. Totino lives in the picturesque mountain village of Tamburino in Italy, where tall, lush green trees encircle the town. But don't bother searching for Tamburino on a map—it doesn't exist. This village resides only in my imagination, and now, as you begin reading, it will come to life in yours too.
Totino is eight years old, always wearing big, comfy shoes—essential for all the running, wall-climbing, and tree-scaling he loves to do. The contrast between his oversized shoes and his slender legs makes him even more endearing. Or perhaps the shoes are just the right size, and it’s Totino's tiny body that makes them seem so large? Who can say for sure?
In a world where most kids are lost in their gadgets, Totino is an old-school explorer, often off on his own, guided by his imagination. But he isn’t always alone—his best friend Fiorella, a little rascal with a big smile and an even bigger heart, is often right by his side. Whenever Totino isn’t on a solo adventure, you can bet Fiorella is with him.
But don’t just take my word for it—immerse yourself in these short stories and discover Totino, the Italian bambino, and the enchanting world that surrounds him. Buy here: Amazon - Totino The Italian Bambino
The Adventures of Bunny Bunner, Mousy Mouse, and Squerly Squirrel:The Arizona Monsoon by antonio larosa
The Adventures of Bunny Bunner, Mousy Mouse, and Squerly Squirrel is the first story I told my daughter when she was a little girl, and it quickly became her favorite, with characters she adored. After many cherished moments of sharing it with her, I decided to finally put it down on paper and share it with the world. I hope your children find as much joy in it as she did.
In the heart of a vibrant garden, tucked behind a charming 120-year-old blue house in the center of Phoenix, Arizona, stood a majestic pecan tree. Its towering branches spread wide, offering shade, shelter, and endless possibilities for adventure. This tree wasn’t just an ordinary pecan tree. It was a world of wonder, and it was home to three inseparable friends: Bunny Bunner, Mousy Mouse, and Squerly Squirrel.
Buy here: Amazon - The Adventures of Bunny Bunner, Mousy Mouse, and Squerly Squirrel